Are we heading in the right direction? 2025 Version

[CzarDemidov]

I guess you would have passed on a 31/37 for Caufield deal then, LOL.

The only thing laughable is comparing Caufield to Newhook.

 

[Kimota]

You're absolutely correct. We are years away from contending.

I'd have agreed on this with previous regimes but not now. X and Anderson are solid big players. Dach would've been but got hurt. RB looks like a big body that can help. Guhle has a lot of grit...

I wish Dach didn't have the injuries because he's exactly what we need as a 2nd line center. Big, skilled... it's going to be hard to find that.

Even without injuries, Dach cannot be a center, bro.

 

[CzarDemidov]

Even without injuries, Dach cannot be a center, bro.

The guy who had the best span of his career playing wing next to Suzuki (50pt pace) was the PERFECT 2C, don’t you know bro.

 

[nhlfan9191]

If we want to go that route, Matheson's available. Struble... Laine too. We have some players to trade with.

I know people really despise Matheson, but until the younger guys show they can consistently eat up the minutes he does, he isn’t going anywhere. Trading him now would create too much of a hole unless they sign or trade for someone to replace him. I think Hughes is probably waiting on the kids to force him out.

 

[Lshap]

Since it’s hard to accept that it was a bad trade, now Alex Newhook the 26pt/season is a rational option for acquiring a skilled guy. Wow…

Please, no more trading first and second round picks to acquire “smaller skilled guys”! Please! I beg!

I'm one of those guys who still likes Newhook because I see the potential to calibrate his wild bursts of speed into scoring chances. His IQ is better than many think; in fact, he's one of our better players at transitioning out of our zone and through the neutral zone. He manages to be in the right place at the right time very often, unfortunately his hands are two seconds behind. But I see progress in his defensive game and situational awareness. I can see him figuring out how to coordinate his hands with his skates, like Paul Byron finally did. Mark me down for Newhook having a surprisingly good 2025/26 season.

As the kids say: "Come at me, bro!"

 

[CzarDemidov]

I'm one of those guys who still likes Newhook because I see the potential to calibrate his wild bursts of speed into scoring chances. His IQ is better than many think; in fact, he's one of our better players at transitioning out of our zone and through the neutral zone. He manages to be in the right place at the right time very often, unfortunately his hands are two seconds behind. But I see progress in his defensive game and situational awareness. I can see him figuring out how to coordinate his hands with his skates, like Paul Byron finally did. Mark me down for Newhook having a surprisingly good 2025/26 season.

As the kids say: "Come at me, bro!"

You can like him all you want, it was a bad trade and remains a bad trade. We could’ve used that trade ammo and/or those prospects for much better ends.

I have a hard time believing eg Joshua Roy couldn’t have put up 26pts this season in Newhook’s spot.

It doesn’t make Newhook a bad person or a bad player who is irredeemable… those are two separate discussions. I don’t even think Newhook is a particularly bad NHLer, I think he’s a bad trade acquisition and a bad top6 figure.

He will likely not score more next year if he loses TOI, he struggles enough with the TOI and opportunity he has.

 

[CzarDemidov]

I know people really despise Matheson, but until the younger guys show they can consistently eat up the minutes he does, he isn’t going anywhere. Trading him now would create too much of a hole unless they sign or trade for someone to replace him. I think Hughes is probably waiting on the kids to force him out.

@Kobe Armstrong is convinced that a big payday is coming Matheson’s way on July 1st when extensions are possible.

I don’t see how he fits our future plans given that he is a LHD but we know 1) Hughes really does defer to the Quartexx Foxhole whenever possible and 2) the Quartexx Foxhole takes care of its own (Anderson, Newhook, etc).

If this is the case, I really hope Matheson remains as fit as he is, I can probably swallow his contract at 7m if he plays 20min a night and puts up 35-40pts but for how many more seasons will that even last?

 

[Barriwhite]

Before I answer, I just want to know if there are any Quartexx clients added by Hughes, who actually worked out?

Do we have a Quartexx Foxhole as @Kobe Armstrong coined the term yesterday? If so, I just want to know that Hughes can ditch them if needed, without giving them extra rope.

Yes, the Foxxhole is a thing I’m afraid

 

[Lshap]

You can like him all you want, it was a bad trade and remains a bad trade. We could’ve used that trade ammo and/or those prospects for much better ends.

I have a hard time believing eg Joshua Roy couldn’t have put up 26pts this season in Newhook’s spot.

It's a bad trade only if Newhook's a finished product. I don't think he is, and I'm predicting he makes noticeable progress next season. Happy to revisit and revise, but for now it's too soon for a verdict.

To give you a benchmark, I predicted Dach would have a strong season last year. We know how that went. His injuries may have been unpredictable, but at this point I've lost faith in his health and ability to bounce back effectively. Good gamble by Hughes, but he lost that one.

 

[CzarDemidov]

It's a bad trade only if Newhook's a finished product. I don't think he is, and I'm predicting he makes noticeable progress next season. Happy to revisit and revise, but for now it's too soon for a verdict.

To give you a benchmark, I predicted Dach would have a strong season last year. We know how that went. His injuries may have been unpredictable, but at this point I've lost faith in his health and ability to bounce back effectively. Good gamble by Hughes, but he lost that one.

If it is conceivable that a young player has been overvalued, for example what LA gave up for PLD — then it is conceivable that the Habs overpaid for Newhook.

At that point it is a matter of taste for a given commentator to deem it a bad acquisition or not. I tend to prefer rating trades from the info available at the time of the trade and not from the outcome.

I thought the Subban Weber trade was bad because of the roster needs, age difference and contract structure, regardless of how it worked out after for the players or their teams. (Worked out not so badly for the Habs)

(In my opinion) Similarly, the Newhook trade… Habs paid too much for a player who was coming off a bad year (and he didn’t have Dach’s upside or injury excuse).

 

[Lshap]

If it is conceivable that a young player has been overvalued, for example what LA gave up for PLD — then it is conceivable that the Habs overpaid for Newhook.

At that point it is a matter of taste for a given commentator to deem it a bad acquisition or not. I tend to prefer rating trades from the info available at the time of the trade and not from the outcome.

I thought the Subban Weber trade was bad because of the roster needs, age difference and contract structure, regardless of how it worked out after for the players or their teams. (Worked out not so badly for the Habs)

(In my opinion) Similarly, the Newhook trade… Habs paid too much for a player who was coming off a bad year (and he didn’t have Dach’s upside or injury excuse).

Fans never have all the info at the time of a trade. GMs do. Even so, it's still a gamble, especially when you're talking about a 21 year old. There was obviously information on Newhook suggesting he was undervalued, otherwise Hughes wouldn't have traded for him. Doesn't mean Hughes was right, but it does mean he had more information than we do by looking at his stats with LA.

Some people are convinced we overpaid for Newhook, and if he never progresses I'll agree with them. But we're not at that point yet.

 

[CzarDemidov]

Fans never have all the info at the time of a trade. GMs do. Even so, it's still a gamble, especially when you're talking about a 21 year old. There was obviously information on Newhook suggesting he was undervalued, otherwise Hughes wouldn't have traded for him. Doesn't mean Hughes was right, but it does mean he had more information than we do by looking at his stats with LA.

Some people are convinced we overpaid for Newhook, and if he never progresses I'll agree with them. But we're not at that point yet.

The insider info that Hughes had was that Newhook was his firm’s client and he believed in his client’s upside. Love a good foxhole.

Otherwise I disagree with the implication that GMs cannot make bad judgements or decisions on account of better insight. We all know this isn’t true at all.

Newhook couldn’t do the 2C job in COL and Hughes acquired him to bring speed and skill on the wings on the second line. The only way it would’ve worked was if Newhook became a consistent 50pt winger (since he doesn’t play PK and doesn’t bring size/strength to the forecheck). Not the case, unfortunately. Not the case at all.

Newhook’s career is far from over but he was a terrible let down this past season, that much can’t be denied.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I know people really despise Matheson, but until the younger guys show they can consistently eat up the minutes he does, he isn’t going anywhere. Trading him now would create too much of a hole unless they sign or trade for someone to replace him. I think Hughes is probably waiting on the kids to force him out.

Well, if they get a Pulock or Gavrikov or someone of that ilk that can play the right side, with the likelihood of Reinbacher or Mailloux also establishing themselves on the right side.. it means that Hutson and Guhle would take the top 4 slots on LD. Which means Matheson is on the 3rd pair, probably a waste.

So I think they should be looking at a Matheson for Andersson swap with Calgary. It pushes Hutson back to the left side, equalizes our right side.

I'm one of those guys who still likes Newhook because I see the potential to calibrate his wild bursts of speed into scoring chances. His IQ is better than many think; in fact, he's one of our better players at transitioning out of our zone and through the neutral zone. He manages to be in the right place at the right time very often, unfortunately his hands are two seconds behind. But I see progress in his defensive game and situational awareness. I can see him figuring out how to coordinate his hands with his skates, like Paul Byron finally did. Mark me down for Newhook having a surprisingly good 2025/26 season.

As the kids say: "Come at me, bro!"

Newhook will be great in 3LW. Most times players like him fail when they are in chairs they aren't ready/suited for. He was also disadvantaged by playing with an out of shape, out of practice Dach, and other miscasts on the wing.. then had a rusty, terrible 5 on 5 Laine.. and then had to play center.

We should see Newhook invent himself as a Paul Byron clone.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

@Kobe Armstrong is convinced that a big payday is coming Matheson’s way on July 1st when extensions are possible.

I don’t see how he fits our future plans given that he is a LHD but we know 1) Hughes really does defer to the Quartexx Foxhole whenever possible and 2) the Quartexx Foxhole takes care of its own (Anderson, Newhook, etc).

If this is the case, I really hope Matheson remains as fit as he is, I can probably swallow his contract at 7m if he plays 20min a night and puts up 35-40pts but for how many more seasons will that even last?

That 35-40pts production comes with his load of turnovers and mistakes. We have to keep in mind that he's a def eating many minutes and I don't see him improving into a safe def who with minimal mistakes. For example Reinbacher will turn into a safe def eating many minutes with minimal mistakes. Matheson is speedy, spectacular but a also unreliable. In the present time Matheson is a stud. Habs without him would have a big hole. I don't know the solution in his case for long term.

 

[Legend123]

That 35-40pts production comes with his load of turnovers and mistakes. We have to keep in mind that he's a def eating many minutes and I don't see him improving into a safe def who with minimal mistakes. For example Reinbacher will turn into a safe def eating many minutes with minimal mistakes. Matheson is speedy, spectacular but a also unreliable. In the present time Matheson is a stud. Habs without him would have a big hole. I don't know the solution in his case for long term.

Hah reinbacher just isn't that

He's actually similar to Matheson in many ways ironically given ur post. The guy loves to jump the rush and force some scoring chances. He also tends to cough up pucks in his own end for some questionable decion making... just like Matheson!

But he's got some much upside

 

[Lshap]

The insider info that Hughes had was that Newhook was his firm’s client and he believed in his client’s upside. Love a good foxhole.

Otherwise I disagree with the implication that GMs cannot make bad judgements or decisions on account of better insight. We all know this isn’t true at all.

Newhook couldn’t do the 2C job in COL and Hughes acquired him to bring speed and skill on the wings on the second line. The only way it would’ve worked was if Newhook became a consistent 50pt winger (since he doesn’t play PK and doesn’t bring size/strength to the forecheck). Not the case, unfortunately. Not the case at all.

Newhook’s career is far from over but he was a terrible let down this past season, that much can’t be denied.

Of course GMs can make bad judgements, even though they do have better info. As I said, trades are always a gamble, and it's possible Hughes was wrong about Newhook. All I'm saying is the verdict isn't in yet. Unlike Dach, he hasn't been chronically injured. Unlike a trade-deadline move, he wasn't brought in to produce instantly. Unlike a veteran, he wasn't a finished product – he was only 21 when we got him (thanks for not jumping on my mistake that he was from LA - lol!).

Newhook's first season had real promise - 34 pts in 55 games. Last season was disappointing. Let's see how he does in his 3rd season on the 3rd line. I'm sticking to my prediction.

 

[Justsayin]

Well, if they get a Pulock or Gavrikov or someone of that ilk that can play the right side, with the likelihood of Reinbacher or Mailloux also establishing themselves on the right side.. it means that Hutson and Guhle would take the top 4 slots on LD. Which means Matheson is on the 3rd pair, probably a waste.

So I think they should be looking at a Matheson for Andersson swap with Calgary. It pushes Hutson back to the left side, equalizes our right side.



Newhook will be great in 3LW. Most times players like him fail when they are in chairs they aren't ready/suited for. He was also disadvantaged by playing with an out of shape, out of practice Dach, and other miscasts on the wing.. then had a rusty, terrible 5 on 5 Laine.. and then had to play center.

We should see Newhook invent himself as a Paul Byron clone.

If I were Newhook, I think I would spend the summer working on my shot (accuracy mostly) almost exclusively. Maybe I am imagining things, but he was in a position to score multiple times and didn't. That means two things one good and one bad. He knows how to put himself in a position to score. But he has trouble finishing.
I like his tenacity and if he can put it all together, he could be a pretty significant asset.

 

[Legend123]

If I were Newhook, I think I would spend the summer working on my shot (accuracy mostly) almost exclusively. Maybe I am imagining things, but he was in a position to score multiple times and didn't. That means two things one good and one bad. He knows how to put himself in a position to score. But he has trouble finishing.
I like his tenacity and if he can put it all together, he could be a pretty significant asset.

What about also watching tape to understand what to do with the puck once he receives it

 

[WeThreeKings]

If I were Newhook, I think I would spend the summer working on my shot (accuracy mostly) almost exclusively. Maybe I am imagining things, but he was in a position to score multiple times and didn't. That means two things one good and one bad. He knows how to put himself in a position to score. But he has trouble finishing.
I like his tenacity and if he can put it all together, he could be a pretty significant asset.

He should work on killing penalties too, though. His speed can be an asset there. Just like it was for Byron. Gonna be hard for him to stay long term if he isn't scoring enough to justify being top 6 and can't play PK in the bottom 6.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Even without injuries, Dach cannot be a center, bro.

Completely disagree. But it’s moot so why bother debating this?

 

[Sorinth]

The guy who had the best span of his career playing wing next to Suzuki (50pt pace) was the PERFECT 2C, don’t you know bro.

Dach played the final 16 games at center in 2022-2023 and put up 12 points in 16 games, good for over a 60 point pace. His linemates were a mix of Drouin, Hoffman, Dadonov, Gurianov, and Anderson. He also then had 2 points 2 games next season, though really it was 1 game and a period.

So you're wrong, his best stretch as a Hab was at center.

 

[LesCactus]

While I think a healthy Dach would perform well on a line with Laine & Demidov, you can’t trust him to stay healthy and be in such an important role. If he wasn’t coming off two straight seasons of a torn ACL, I wouldn’t mind them taking a risk on him being the 2C.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

If I were Newhook, I think I would spend the summer working on my shot (accuracy mostly) almost exclusively. Maybe I am imagining things, but he was in a position to score multiple times and didn't. That means two things one good and one bad. He knows how to put himself in a position to score. But he has trouble finishing.
I like his tenacity and if he can put it all together, he could be a pretty significant asset.

As a long time Habs fan, I was hoping the same with so many players in the past. Well, in reality it doesn't work like this. Whatever it was shooting or skating, I haven't seen a drastic improvement. Remember when Ribeiro and Dagenais took power skating lessons in summer?

This player, like so many others is working full time on hockey skills since he was about 11 years old. They are elite in that sport if they are into NHL. I'm not saying there can't be improvement but it doesn't happen often. Most of the time, what you saw is what you'll get. Everyone would agree he had many good scoring chances, like tape to tape perfect passes in the slot. That didn't convert into goals.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Dach played the final 16 games at center in 2022-2023 and put up 12 points in 16 games, good for over a 60 point pace. His linemates were a mix of Drouin, Hoffman, Dadonov, Gurianov, and Anderson. He also then had 2 points 2 games next season, though really it was 1 game and a period.

So you're wrong, his best stretch as a Hab was at center.

When I was at the Bell center this season, the terrible defeat vs Vegas, I saw Dach as a very static and useless player. I saw Dvorak as a better player and I wasn't a fan of Dvo. I don't know if that was an injury but Dach was not moving his feet and looked not interrested in the game. He was completely turned off.

Sometimes I'm thinking the Hawks knew he didn't have the character and they gave up with him. He seems to lack leadership.

So now with most Habs fans he dropped from 2c into 3rd line winger. Geez! I would rather have Romanov today tbh.

 

[CzarDemidov]

Dach played the final 16 games at center in 2022-2023 and put up 12 points in 16 games, good for over a 60 point pace. His linemates were a mix of Drouin, Hoffman, Dadonov, Gurianov, and Anderson. He also then had 2 points 2 games next season, though really it was 1 game and a period.

So you're wrong, his best stretch as a Hab was at center.

16 games is worth more than all the other games if you have to insist to be right despite the preponderance of evidence